Thousands protest against Trump’s second UK state visit.
Thousands gathered in central London’s Portland Place to oppose US President Donald Trump’s second state visit.
The Stop Trump Coalition, a group of more than 50 unions and charities, began the march towards Whitehall around 15:00 BST.
Some demonstrators carried placards reading “no to racism,” “no to Trump,” and “stop arming Israel.” Others carried smaller versions of the 20-foot Trump Baby blimp, which floated through crowds during protests against the president’s inaugural state visit in 2019.
The Metropolitan Police have sent more than 1,600 officers, including 500 from other departments. Louise Puddefoot, the force’s Deputy Assistant Commissioner, predicted “another busy day” for police.
This protest occurs just days after the Unite the Kingdom demonstration. She said that police had been in “close contact” with the organisers and had encouraged everyone who participated to be “considerate to the local community” and keep disruption to a minimum.
Climate campaigners, anti-racism groups, and pro-Palestine organisations all make up the Stop Trump Coalition.
Ahead of the march, a coalition spokeswoman stated:
“A government that bows down to Trump and racism is one that will open the door to fascism.” Although Trump will not be visiting Parliament, the protest groups say they will march to “defeat the politics of Trumpism” and promote “an alternative, democratic vision of the world based on peace, social justice, and international cooperation”.
In the midst of the masses – which started assembling near BBC Broadcasting House – many informed the BBC why they were there, stacking up a long list of grievances against the US president. They described him as “despicable” and wanted to send a message that he is not welcome.
When challenged about people who believe vicars should be apolitical, Reverend Poppy Hughes responds, “Jesus preached peace and compassion, and that’s why I’m here”.
Zoe Gardner, a political journalist and one of the organisers of Wednesday’s demonstration, stated that Trump “represents everything that we hate.”
“We want our government to show some backbone, and have a little bit of pride and represent that huge feeling of disgust at Donald Trump’s politics in the UK,” she told the BBC.
Auriel Dowty Glanville, a climate advocate from Wimbledon, said she was demonstrating because she believes the president is a “climate denier” and that climate change is “the most serious threat facing us on Earth.” She described the second state visit invitation as “appalling,” adding, “It’s all about the trade deal.”
Sarah Montgomery and Claudio Solano of North London arrived wearing white protective face masks that said “Trump stinks”. They said they’d had the masks since Trump’s first state visit.
“He still stinks,” Sarah admits. “Everything he stands for stinks.” Mr Solano, a Brazilian, stated that he disagrees with both Trump’s policies and his backing for Brazil’s former right-wing leader Jair Bolsonaro. “It is disgusting, and I don’t understand why Britain has to be so cowardly,” he said later.
A tiny number of protesters began to gather in Windsor on Wednesday afternoon, where Trump is spending the day with the Royal Family before the state banquet.
Amy Tisi told the BBC that it is “important to make a stand” because she protested the last time Trump visited. She wondered whether the “size and scale” of the trip were intended to boost his ego.
Four men were detained when images of the president and late convicted paedophile billionaire Jeffrey Epstein were projected onto Windsor Castle on Tuesday, just as Trump arrived in the UK.
On Wednesday in Windsor, a man wearing a Davy Crockett hat declared Trump to be “the greatest president”. His remark was met with a chorus of boos from some of the audience.
Read more on Straightwinfortoday.com
Comments are closed, but trackbacks and pingbacks are open.